Section 28-3-240 Goods, Etc., Subject to Confiscation and Sale Generally; Procedure for Confiscation and Sale of Goods, Etc., Generally.

All alcoholic beverages enumerated and defined in this chapter or other products taxable under this chapter found at any point within the State of Alabama when said alcoholic beverages or products shall have been within the State of Alabama for a period of two hours or longer in possession of any retailer or for a period of 36 hours or longer in possession of any wholesaler or distributor not having affixed to the package, as defined in this chapter, the stamps, crowns or lids as provided by law are hereby declared to be contraband goods, and the same may be seized by the board or its agents or by any peace officer of the State of Alabama without a warrant, and the said goods shall be delivered to the board for sale at public auction to the highest bidder after due advertisement, but the board, before delivering any of said goods so seized, shall require the purchaser to affix the proper amount of stamps, crowns or lids to the individual package as defined in this chapter. The proceeds of sale of any goods sold under this article shall be turned over to the State Treasurer by the board as other funds collected by said board. The cost of confiscation and sale shall be paid out of the proceeds derived from such sales before making remittance to the State Treasurer. Any of the goods, wares or merchandise enumerated in this chapter and all such goods, wares or merchandise when offered for sale, either at wholesale or retail, without the stamps, crowns or lids having been first affixed shall be subject to confiscation as hereinbefore provided. Any vehicle not a common carrier which may be used for the transportation for the purpose of sale of unstamped articles as enumerated in this chapter shall likewise be subject to confiscation and sale in the manner as above provided for goods, wares or merchandise without stamps, crowns or lids. Should any alcoholic beverages without stamps, crowns or lids as enumerated and defined in this chapter be found in any vehicle which is engaged in the sale, distribution or delivery of taxable alcoholic beverages, the same shall be prima facie evidence that it was there for sale.